Arts & Architecture: Wheeler Kearns’ ‘Case Study’ House

Kelly Wearstler, a prominent figure in contemporary American design, views design as an intuitive process akin to falling in love repeatedly. Her distinctive style, characterized by sumptuous and vibrant interiors, is evident in high-end residences and luxury hotels worldwide, from Beverly Hills to the Caribbean. Wearstler's design philosophy is deeply influenced by a wide array of sources, including global travel, nature, architecture, fashion, graphic design, literature, and art, with particular admiration for the works of Pierre Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Carlo Scarpa, Louis Kahn, Gio Ponti, and Carlo Mollino. Her eponymous luxury-lifestyle brand encompasses a broad spectrum of design services, including residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design, alongside curated collections of furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wallcoverings, tiles, luxe bedding, fine china, and decorative home accessories. Wearstler's design approach is marked by a sophisticated contrast of raw and refined elements, a harmonious blend of color, and a thoughtful integration of diverse periods of furniture. This unique methodology has earned her recognition on prestigious lists such as Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Architecture & Interior Design, Elle Décor’s A-List, Wallpaper’s Top 20 Designers, and TIME Style & Design’s Design 100. She conceptualizes each project as an opportunity for storytelling, aiming to create evocative, adventurous, and soulful narratives through a rich mix of materials and influences. Her mantra, “love color, take risks, stay curious,” guides her attraction to designs that intelligently utilize materiality, juxtapose various historical styles, and introduce an element of surprise. Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1967, Wearstler honed her skills in interior and graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art. After relocating to the West Coast, she launched her design business, initially gaining traction with the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. This success paved the way for numerous international projects, including the Viceroy Santa Monica, multiple properties for the Viceroy Group, and the Four Seasons Anguilla, where she skillfully merged natural elements like driftwood and petrified wood with global textiles to redefine Caribbean luxury. Her portfolio also features the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant in New York City, which elegantly combines elements from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the Compartés flagship store in Los Angeles, a modern reinterpretation of classic European chocolate shops. Her residential work spans high-profile homes for celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Ben Stiller. A current venture, Proper Hospitality, involves the design of high-end residences and hotels, with completed projects including the Hollywood Proper Residences, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, and San Francisco Proper Hotel. These projects showcase her signature blend of vintage and new furnishings, custom lighting, bespoke elements, and local artworks. Upcoming Proper hotels in Austin and Downtown Los Angeles further demonstrate her expansive vision. Wearstler emphasizes the importance of client collaboration, stating that the most successful projects arise when clients actively voice their vision. Her role is to interpret and filter these ideas, creating spaces that evoke specific moods and tell compelling stories. She stresses the significance of scale and hierarchy within a space, advocating for a thoughtful mix of texture, history, pattern, and color to achieve balance and allow statement pieces to stand out. Her creative process involves deep research into a location's history and architecture, followed by an intuitive selection of art, rugs, and vintage pieces to establish the core vibe. She uses “vibe trays” to visualize how all elements, textures, and colors will harmoniously interact within a space, sourcing unique items from around the globe to curate truly distinctive environments. Wearstler sees windows as framed artworks that integrate external elements and colors into the interior, further enhancing the cohesive design narrative. Throughout her career, Wearstler has continually challenged herself, taking risks and expanding her artistic horizons. She views her clients, particularly those from the film, music, and art industries, as vital partners and teachers, each contributing unique perspectives that enrich her design process. A key distinction in her work is the tailored approach to residential versus hospitality projects; while both receive the same passion and explorative process, hospitality designs require a greater focus on commercial specifications and creating a comfortable, home-like atmosphere unique to the location. Turning points in her career include the Avalon Hotel, the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant, and the large-scale Westfield Century City renovation, all of which pushed her creative boundaries and fostered a sense of accomplishment. Wearstler's home collections target individuals who appreciate art, travel, and thoughtful details, offering environments designed to expand experiences and heighten senses. Her ongoing projects continue to explore new commercial and residential ventures globally, consistently seeking the next design adventure. #KellyWearstler #InteriorDesign #ModernAmericanDesign #LuxuryInteriors #HospitalityDesign #ResidentialDesign #DesignPhilosophy #ArchitecturalDesign #StorytellingInDesign

This comprehensive guide details every design element and product used in the 2024 Southern Living Idea House, a Sea Island Farmhouse located in Kiawah River, South Carolina. Designed by Allison Elebash, the house features a blend of traditional Southern charm and modern sophistication, meticulously curated to inspire home decorating. The guide is organized room by room, providing specific brands, colors, materials, and even installers for each item, from major structural components to decorative accessories and plants. The exterior and landscape section highlights Marvin Ultimate and Elevate windows and doors in Gunmetal, James Hardie siding and trim, and Sherwin-Williams paints in Origami White and Porpoise. Noteworthy outdoor features include a Clopay Canyon Ridge garage door, Zuri Premium Decking in Walnut, and extensive landscaping using plants from the Southern Living Plant Collection, such as Roman Candle Podocarpus, Misty River Sweet Olive, and various Gardenia and Hydrangea varieties. Propane-fueled items like the outdoor grill, pool heater, and lanterns underscore modern amenities integrated into the design. Local contractors, such as Pain-less Home Improvements for window installation and Aqua Blue Pools, are also specified. Throughout the house, consistent choices include William M. Bird hardwood flooring in Veranda, Asheville Collection, Vineyard color, and various tile selections from Melcer Tile. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and closets were provided by Village Millworks, while plumbing fixtures from Bird Decorative Hardware and Bath feature Waterworks and DXV brands. Lighting fixtures are predominantly from Regina Andrew, contributing to the cohesive aesthetic. Painting was done by AE Painting, and wallpaper installation by East Coast Paper & Paint, demonstrating the detail involved. The main level features spaces such as the Front Porch, Entry, Powder Bath, Kitchen, Scullery, Friends' Entrance, Laundry Room, Dining Room, Living Room, and Back Porch/Outdoor Living Room. Each area showcases a unique palette and selection of furnishings and decor. For instance, the Kitchen includes Monogram Luxury Appliances, custom range hood by The Heirloom Companies, and Emily Daws Textiles for custom stool cushions. The Living Room incorporates a Lee Industries sofa and chairs, alongside custom pieces from Brooks Custom Woodworks and artworks from various galleries, creating a sophisticated yet comfortable environment. The Back Porch extends the living space outdoors with Teak + Table furniture and a Charleston Bedswing Company porch swing. The second floor comprises a Den, Den Bar, Upstairs Primary Bath, Upstairs Primary Bedroom, Office, Office Bath, Coffee Vestibule, Twin Room Vestibule, Twin Bedroom, and Twin Bath. The Den, for example, features Sherwin-Williams paint in Sand Trap and Bateau Brown, a Coley Home sectional, and numerous artworks. The Den Bar includes Monogram Luxury Appliances and bespoke glassware from Estelle Colored Glass. Bedrooms are furnished with Reid Classics mattresses and beds, Chelsea Textiles bedside tables, and bedding from the Southern Living Home Collection at Dillard’s, ensuring both comfort and style. The Office space is designed with a Brooks Custom Woodworks desk and Chelsea Textiles chest. The Carriage House, including its Entry/Stairwell, Vestibule, Powder Bath, Kitchenette, Bedroom, and Bath, continues the design philosophy with elements like Mirth Studio decorative flooring, GE Profile and Café Appliances in the kitchenette, and coordinated paint schemes. Dog-friendly features such as The Houndry dog beds and bowls are also integrated. The Backyard and Garage areas are not overlooked, featuring a Propane Heated Pool by Aqua Blue Pools, Teak + Table outdoor furniture, and a detailed list of garage storage and recreational items, emphasizing a holistic approach to home design and functionality. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SouthernLivingIdeaHouse #HomeDecor #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #LandscapeDesign #KiawahRiver #AllisonElebash

This article details the transformation of Caroline McCulloch's Queenslander home, an ornate property that initially served as a temporary residence but quickly became a cherished family home. Caroline, the founder of shoe label Frankie4, and her family, including children Max and Rosie, fell in love with the house's original features, such as 3.8-meter ceilings, a breathtaking hallway, and a wraparound verandah reminiscent of Caroline's childhood home. Despite its charm, the house was dated, featuring a 'twee' decor with pinks, lavenders, and flowery wallpapers, and suffered from functional issues like limited storage, a small main ensuite, and a poorly placed WC in the kitchen. Caroline preferred a more masculine aesthetic, prompting a significant interior design project. Interior designer Claire Stevens was tasked with reimagining the space. With a focus on minimal structural changes, Stevens ingeniously converted an unused small room between the main and second bedrooms into two walk-in wardrobes and transformed a study adjacent to the dining room into an ensuite for Max. The previously enclosed back verandah, with its iconic VJ ceiling, was revitalized into an informal living area by adding curtains, rugs, and art, becoming the family's primary gathering space. A section of this verandah was partitioned off to create a rumpus room. Enhancements in the main living room included the installation of a fireplace and the replacement of all wallpapers, addressing the homeowner's desire for a more refined look. Claire Stevens' design approach was largely guided by Caroline's extensive collection of Australian art, which served as the primary inspiration for each room's theme and color palette. Stevens aimed for 'sophisticated spaces with different looks and different colors,' ensuring that while Caroline liked color, the overall effect was never too busy. For instance, the dining room was imbued with a rich and layered feel, featuring Wedgwood-blue walls, a generously sized handcrafted dining table, a striking pendant light, a green retro-style sideboard, and a monolithic Kelly Wearstler sculpture. The sitting room adopted a more minimalist aesthetic with neutral tones, a marble fireplace, and brass accents, creating a pared-back yet elegant atmosphere. The main bedroom was designed with grass-weave wallpaper, introducing color and punch while maintaining a cozy and inviting feel. The choice of wallpapers played a crucial role in enhancing the home's character. Hydrangea-blue grasscloth in the dining room added texture, while a more formal, subtle linear stripe in the living room provided an ideal backdrop for the art collection. These wallpapers complemented the original architectural details, such as architraves, cornicing, and fan lights, which were painted in crisp white to highlight their freshness. The coffered ceiling in the dining area and the original VJ cladding on the verandah were also revitalized with crisp white, contributing to a relaxed and airy ambiance. Functional additions included a banquette in the informal dining area of the kitchen and louvred joinery, further enhancing the home's breezy feel. The renovated home has successfully created distinct yet harmonious spaces that cater to the family's individual preferences. Max enjoys his 'nook,' Rosie frequently uses the dining table for art and studies, and Caroline's husband, Alan, favors the outdoor lounge area. Caroline herself appreciates the diversity of spaces, finding joy in spending time across different areas of the house. Her favorite is the dining room, valued not only for its beauty but also for its versatility, hosting meals, tutoring sessions, business meetings, art projects, and family board games. The home embodies a perfect blend of style and comfort, reflecting the ethos of Caroline's Frankie4 brand. #QueenslanderHome #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ArtInspiredInteriors #LuxuryDecor #FamilyHome #AustralianDesign #HistoricRenovation #HomeTours

Architectural Design Studios, led by Cherie Arscott and her business partner Kris Havens, offers comprehensive design solutions for a diverse clientele. Arscott's background in construction and design stems from a young age, influenced by her father, a custom home builder, and her mother, who involved her in selecting materials for new homes. This early exposure provided her with a foundational understanding of the entire process, from construction to architectural and interior design. The firm provides full-service design, catering to homeowners, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and other commercial properties. A key aspect of their approach is a seamless, collaborative team effort, where all members contribute to discussions, fostering new ideas and ensuring a cohesive design outcome. This collaborative model aims to provide clients with a worry-free experience, as all aspects of the project are managed internally. Architectural Design Studios recently established a new Delray Beach studio, a 6,500-square-foot facility that combines office and warehouse space. This location offers clients the convenience of visiting to make their design selections. The warehouse component allows the firm to receive and store furniture and accessories until the client's move-in date, streamlining the installation process. Cherie Arscott's design philosophy is influenced by her upbringing in Virginia, which exposed her to traditional European styles. She expresses comfort with both European classicism and contemporary designs, emphasizing that great interior design should enhance the living experience rather than merely focusing on aesthetics. This perspective guides their projects to create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and enriching. Beyond their professional endeavors, Arscott and Havens are actively involved in philanthropic efforts. They dedicate 10 percent of their proceeds to The Place of Hope, a nonprofit organization that supports children who are homeless or have transitioned out of the foster care system. This commitment reflects their belief in giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate, even as they create beautiful homes for their clients. Architectural Design Studios is located at 250 N. Congress Ave., Ste. A, Delray Beach, and can be contacted via phone or their website. #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #CherieArscott #KrisHavens #DelrayBeach #FullServiceDesign #EuropeanClassicism #ContemporaryDesign #Philanthropy #ThePlaceOfHope